see the world,come home for love: Beautiful British Columbia

People who know me, know I loooove celebrating my birthday! Similar to Michael, my birthday is also usually a month-long affair, but unlike him, I'm not shy or subtle about it - I love making a big deal out of it!

But this year, I can't seem to be bothered to think about it. Maybe it's because Gourmet Club is occupying most of my mind and with the grand finale just 2 days before my actual birthday, I'd rather focus on that!

So when Michael asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, the only thing I could think of was to take a drive... just the two of us... somewhere scenic... to get away from the hustle and bustle of being home and watch the Fall foliage change colors! They say Fall is an older person's season. I guess that would make sense, now that I am older! So I would have been content with a short drive up to the Gorge or somewhere close by.

Eleven days before my actual birthday, Michael had something else in mind. Something that he conjured up out of the blue, at 3 Am last Friday morning. And after 3 hours of research, he called me at 6:30 AM and said, "Pack your bags, grab your passport, we're going on a road trip!"

Now in case you didn't already know, Michael never wakes up that early (on his own, anyway). And he certainly never sounds that chipper at 6:30 AM! So I was like, "Yea right..." and he says, "I'm serious! I'm on my way to your house now!"

Suuuuure, I thought, I'll believe it when I see it... and fell back asleep.

But there he was, 30 minutes later, at my house! And 30 minutes after that, we were on I-5 North, with the top down (freezing I might add), driving to Canada!

Does it sound like I'm complaining? Because I'm not. I love surprises. And I love spontaneity. As some of you now know, I also love to travel. So even though I'd been to Vancouver, B.C. countless times before, I hadn't been recently, and I certainly had never been with Michael... therefore, anything we do (for the first time) together, near or far, is exciting to me.

We made it to the border in 6 hours (with a stop in Seattle for lunch) and checked in at the lovely Pan Pacific Hotel (#20 on Conde Nast's 2008 World's Best Places to Stay) in downtown Vancouver. We then took a drive through Vancouver's famous Stanley Park, where I got to see my fall foliage! It was very enchanting :) I don't think I've ever seen Vancouver like this before - no wonder it's always listed as one of the best places to live in the world!

We had dinner at Ping's Cafe - a highly reviewed, yet down-to-earth, underground, neighborhood Japanese joint with the most humble and personable service, specializing in small plates! Naturally, Michael did all the research in advance, and like most places he chooses, dinner did not disappoint. The meal was so wonderful, I'd recommend it to any foodie who visits Vancouver! I wish I took pictures, but I was too busy enjoying myself, I forgot! Besides, it's one of those places where pictures would not do it justice, you just have to go there!!!

The next day, we went to Chinatown, had some dim sum and spent the rest of our day on Granville Island at the public markets (so much fun), before the drive home. So overall, it would be considered a very short trip for such a long drive to most people, but for me, it was exhilarating... and a perfect way to celebrate my 28th :)